Dallas, June 25 --Charles L. Curry, M.D., professor of medicine at Howard University College of Medicine in Washington, D.C., received the American Heart Association's Physician of the Year Award Friday during the organization's annual Delegate Assembly.
He was honored primarily for his "work in low-income communities and his influence on many physicians and cardiovascular care programs."
The award is conferred annually upon the practicing physician who has rendered "outstanding contributions" to the accomplishment of the American Heart Association mission. It is made possible by a grant from Sanofi Winthrop Pharmaceuticals.
Curry was praised for his development of District of Columbia education and compliance programs related to the control of high blood pressure, a major risk factor for both heart attack and stroke. His award notes that "because of his intervention strategies there has been a significant increase in the awareness of and compliance with high blood pressure treatments" in areas where Curry is involved.
He was a founder and first president of D.C. CARE, which was organized with the cooperation of the District of Columbia Commission on Public Health, the Centers for Disease Control and several local organizations. In addition to providing health care to individuals in the minority community, Curry has also been involved in educating high school and college students in healthy lifestyles and in research.
Much of Curry's work has been with the American Heart Association in Washington, where he has been a volunteer since the 1970s. He received an Award of Merit and the Heart of Gold Award from the local organization.
The American Heart Association spent about $312 million during fiscal year 1997-98 on research support, public and professional education, and community programs. With more than 4 million volunteers, it is the largest voluntary health organization fighting heart disease, stroke and other cardiovascular diseases, which annually kill more than 959,000 Americans.